The Signal (2007) is an anthology horror movie set in and around Atlanta (called Terminus City here). While there are three distinct parts, the characters overlap and follow one another from segment to segment. There has been a mysterious signal broadcast over all televisions and telephones that turns whoever hears it into a raving nutjob. Mya is the heroine of the movie and the film opens with her ignoring an entreaty from her lover to leave her current boyfriend and run away with him. In part one, we see Lewis (Mya's boyfriend) and several of his friends reacting poorly to the signal and getting violent.
In part two, a woman throwing a birthday party decides to go ahead with things despite the fact that she just killed her husband. Thanks to the events of part 1, Lewis ends up at the party and the whole second act is a dark comedy where every one attending the party has to try to keep from killing everyone else.
In part three, things are more surreal and disjointed as there is a final showdown between Mya, Lewis and Mya's lover, Ben. This section is like a violent Malick flick as Ben and Lewis fight over Mya. It is well shot and acted but there is lots of ambiguity in the ending, especially. After the horror of part one and the comedy-horror of part two, part three is more a drama.
The Signal is an ambitious little project that hangs together better than it should (your experience may change based on how well the comedy plays for you). AJ Bowen, a man I have had drinks with, steals the show as the homicidal Lewis. It is also fun to see Atlanta locations and recognize them despite the name change.
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